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What you need to tow 1,500 lb with a 2026 Toyota Highlander

Every published configuration of the 2026 Toyota Highlander is rated for 1,500 lb. At 1,500 lb you are at 30% of this vehicle's 5,000 lb ceiling. The hardware is sized to the trailer: Class 1 in a 1-1/4 in receiver, a ball mount rated past your 150–225 lb tongue weight, lighting wiring.

Which Highlander configurations are rated for 1,500 lb

3 configurations share the lowest rating that still clears 1,500 lb (3,500 lb). Anything rated below that will not do it. Closest-margin configurations first — the last column is how much headroom is left over.

GradeEngineDriveMax trailer (lb)Headroom
Hybrid XLEHybrid powertrain — 2.5-liter L4HVAWD3,5002,000 lb
Hybrid LimitedHybrid powertrain — 2.5-liter L4HVAWD3,5002,000 lb
Hybrid PlatinumHybrid powertrain — 2.5-liter L4HVAWD3,5002,000 lb
XLEGasoline engine — 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbochargedAWD5,0003,500 lb
LimitedGasoline engine — 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbochargedAWD5,0003,500 lb
PlatinumGasoline engine — 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbochargedAWD5,0003,500 lb
XSEGasoline engine — 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbochargedAWD5,0003,500 lb

Source: 2026 Toyota Highlander manufacturer trailering chart · last verified 2026-08-29

Your kit for 1,500 lb behind a Highlander

In the order you should buy it. Every requirement comes from a published manufacturer guide or standard — the full reasoning for each item is on the 1,500 lb kit page.

One number still has to come from you: payload. Addition of trailer hitch weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or doorframe. Your 150–225 lb of tongue weight comes out of that payload, not out of the tow rating — which is why a truck rated for 5,000 lb can still be overloaded at 1,500 lb once four passengers and a full bed are in it.

Common questions

Can a 2026 Toyota Highlander tow 1,500 lb?

Yes — every published configuration of the 2026 Toyota Highlander is rated for 1,500 lb or more. That is a ceiling for a properly equipped vehicle that is otherwise unloaded — your passengers, cargo and tongue weight all come off it, and your payload is on your own door-jamb label.

What hitch do I need to tow 1,500 lb with a Highlander?

Class 1 hardware with a 1-1/4 in receiver, rated to 2,000 lb. The hitch is sized to the trailer, not to the truck — a 1,500 lb trailer needs the same Class 1 hitch behind any vehicle. Ratings are set per part number, so check the sticker on the hitch itself.

What is the tongue weight for 1,500 lb behind a Highlander?

150–225 lb — 10 to 15% of the loaded trailer. No manufacturer publishes a tongue-weight figure per trailer, because it depends entirely on how the trailer is loaded.

Do I need trailer brakes to tow 1,500 lb with a Highlander?

Not on weight alone — 1,500 lb is under the 1,500 lb threshold GM's trailering guide publishes for this class of vehicle; check your Toyota owner's manual for its own figure. State law varies and some set it lower, so check your state.

Other weights behind a Highlander

Tow 2,000 lb with a HighlanderTow 2,500 lb with a HighlanderTow 3,000 lb with a HighlanderTow 3,500 lb with a HighlanderTow 4,000 lb with a HighlanderTow 4,500 lb with a HighlanderTow 5,000 lb with a Highlander

Other vehicles at 1,500 lb

Tow 1,500 lb with a BlazerTow 1,500 lb with a Blazer EVTow 1,500 lb with a EquinoxTow 1,500 lb with a Equinox EVTow 1,500 lb with a TraverseTow 1,500 lb with a BroncoTow 1,500 lb with a Bronco SportTow 1,500 lb with a EscapeTow 1,500 lb with a ExplorerTow 1,500 lb with a MaverickTow 1,500 lb with a Transit Passenger VanTow 1,500 lb with a AscentTow 1,500 lb with a CrosstrekTow 1,500 lb with a OutbackTow 1,500 lb with a Grand HighlanderTow 1,500 lb with a RAV4Tow 1,500 lb with a SiennaThe 1,500 lb kit for any vehicle →